Analysis: The six guys who top this list are all first round possibilities so once again we have a strong position within this draft. Ezekiel Ansah is easily one of the most discussed prospects, and it's tough to tell how high he will go but there's no doubt about the Top 20. Sam Montgomery was a pre-season Top 5 prospect, and while he didn't have the season most were hoping for, he was solid and possesses the skill set to be a fantastic all-around end in the NFL. Malliciah Goodman is one of the more intriguing and puzzling prospects in this draft class. Physically he has all the necessities to be a very good player, but to this point it has translated to the field enough to warrant a higher selection. Margus Hunt is in that same class, and it's almost a guarantee that he'll be overdrafted. Overall, a quality group of ends and the even the lower rated guys hold decent potential because they have tools to work with.

Analysis: An incredible number of these players (8) have the chance to break into the first round from the sounds of it and quite possibly ten in the first two rounds. If there's an "elite" prospect in this defensive draft class, Star would be that guy, and Richardson and Floyd may join him in the Top 10. I understand why some scouts are drooling over Floyd, and he's jumped to #3 in my rankings because he proved to be more consistent than others listed and his potential is rather high as well. John Jenkins is a mountain of a man and I want to like him more a prospect, but more times than not he's just average when placed on the football field. Chris Jones is an under-the-radar prospect, who was extremely productive throughout his entire collegiate career, and reminds me of Colts' defensive lineman Ricardo Mathews as a prospect. Overall, the strongest position in this draft at the top, and there will be plenty of variation when discussing the rankings of these prospects.

Analysis: Dion Jordan is a unique prospect with his size, length and athleticism, and he's also scheme versatile (3-4 OLB, 4-3 SAM). Jarvis Jones had a terrific junior year at Georgia, but he doesn't take the number one spot due to the question marks with his spinal stenosis and after the combine he could drop further if it's determined that his career could very well be cut short due to his medical question marks. Barkevious Mingo has all the physical numbers to be a force at the next level, but he was an underwhelming player this season and he may be an athlete more than a football player. Chase Thomas had a strong year at Stanford, but the Senior Bowl proved he is stuck strictly as a 3-4 OLB and that'll hurt slightly come April. Sio Moore has been one of the brightest spots during the off-season games and his stock is well on the rise. Overall, a few guys have the potential to come in and wow us, and I see a bunch of steady starters in the league from this group.

Analysis: The inside backers are all about three guys, and they're led by Kevin Minter. Minter was the most impressive player on a talented Tigers' defense this year, and he possesses physicality along with sideline-to-sideline range. Alec Ogletree is an outstanding athlete, but questions on his toughness and ability to shed blocks knocks him off the top spot. AJ Klein is one of the more underrated prospects this year as an instinctive, physical, and experienced player inside. Kevin Reddick is tough to figure out; statistically you would expect to see a difference maker but far too often he's invisible on the field. Overall, a strong group at the top and steady the rest of the way.

A tenacious pass rusher with the size to play end in an even man front and the athleticism to kick back to outside backer in a 34 defense. He proved during Shrine Bowl week that a jump in competition from D-II to middle round D-I was no problem for him, as he was one of the more dominating players there. One of the more encouraging reports I got from Shrine week was David's ability to play effectively with his hands, and it's a significant fundamental that NFL teams won't need to construct with him.

If an OT gets his hands on Dion Jordan, I think he's easily neutralized in the NFL until he gets significantly stronger. In many ways he's still the guy who transitioned from playing WR to playing on the defensive side of the football.
No one can rely on a speed rush/counter to consistently beat OTs in the NFL. Jordan couldn't even do that in the Pac 12.

I still think he's a fantastic athlete, but I don't know how physically suited he is yet to start in the pros.

In some ways he reminds me of Aaron Maybin who is a very athletic player who has trouble when he locks up on a blocker.

Good list. I rank mine a little different. I lump all pass rushers together 4-3 DE and 3-4 OLB, thus the list is 20 deep. And my OLB rankings are all 4-3 OLBs. My ILB rankings are 4-3 MLBs and 3-4 ILBs. Never really know what to do with 3-4 DEs, but there aren't a whole lot of guys strictly pigeonholed in that position like there has been the last few years.

A lot of these rankings are subject to change depending on the combine. As I do put a lot of stock into speed and explosiveness, which can probably be determined by my rankings with the best athletes at each position at or near the top.

Really interested to see how Vince Williams runs. He's project in the 4.9 range by some, but if he gets anywhere near 4.78...he moves up maybe to #4. Admittedly, I don't know a ton about Jamie Collins, gotta do more homework on him.

Malliciah Goodman is one of the more intriguing and puzzling prospects in this draft class. Physically he has all the necessities to be a very good player, but to this point it has translated to the field enough to warrant a higher selection. Margus Hunt is in that same class, and it's almost a guarantee that he'll be overdrafted. Overall, a quality group of ends and the even the lower rated guys hold decent potential because they have tools to work with.

Yeah, this class if full of pass rushers that "look the part". Mingo, Montgomery, Ansah, and Jordan are amazingly athletic. Goodman, Hunt, and even guys like Gholston, Taylor and Buchanon are very long-limbed guys who have the physical ability but never really put it together on the field against big time competition. As a Bears fan, I think they could take one of the latter group of guys (other than Hunt) maybe as late as the 5th and develop him with and behind Peppers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by princefielder28

Analysis: The inside backers are all about three guys, and they're led by Kevin Minter. Minter was the most impressive player on a talented Tigers' defense this year, and he possesses physicality along with sideline-to-sideline range. Alec Ogletree is an outstanding athlete, but questions on his toughness and ability to shed blocks knocks him off the top spot. AJ Klein is one of the more underrated prospects this year as an instinctive, physical, and experienced player inside. Kevin Reddick is tough to figure out; statistically you would expect to see a difference maker but far too often he's invisible on the field. Overall, a strong group at the top and steady the rest of the way.

I thought Reddick really showed leadership in the SR Bowl. I don't know that he disappeared at UNC as much as he just didn't flash all over the screen constantly. But still 85 tackles (14th in the country, 1st in ACC), 18.5 for loss, and 6.5 sacks are solid numbers no matter how you slice it. I don't know that he's a day 1 starter at Mike, but he's a guy that could be ready by the middle of the season or at SLB until he learns the D better.

Klein is another guy who's 40 and drills I want to see at the combine. If he can show he can move around in zone coverage, he'll go way up on my board. Either way, someone is going to get a really good football player with him. Alonzo is the guy I don't know what to make of. I really wanted to see him in the senior bowl. Not really sure what type of NFL player he will be.

Either way, all good stuff, probably your best of all your lists, IMO. Well thought out and good reasoning for your rankings.

- I still can't figure out why people like Montgomery so much. Having a hard time coming up with things he does better than Tank and Okafor who are ranked below. Stiff straight-line athlete who doesn't bend particularly well. He's on the ground and is the last guy off the ball way too often. Don't see a lot of upside as a pass rusher in the pros. I dunno he's just one of those guys where I just don't see it. If someone can make a good case for him, I'm all ears (or eyes given that this is the internet).

- I know he tore his ACL but Quanterrus Smith from Western Kentucky needs to be in that top 15. I kinda thought he'd be a guy you'd be all over. Was the national leader in sacks before he hurt his knee. Playing at WKU people might assume he's "raw" but he's actually one of the best players I've watched this year at setting up his pass rush moves. Beat cyrus Kouandjio and Fluker cleanly on his way to a sack vs. Bama. I understand if he's a guy who maybe didn't make it on your radar but I highly recommend you check him out if you haven't already.

- I know he tore his ACL but Quanterrus Smith from Western Kentucky needs to be in that top 15. I kinda thought he'd be a guy you'd be all over. Was the national leader in sacks before he hurt his knee. Playing at WKU people might assume he's "raw" but he's actually one of the best players I've watched this year at setting up his pass rush moves. Beat cyrus Kouandjio and Fluker cleanly on his way to a sack vs. Bama. I understand if he's a guy who maybe didn't make it on your radar but I highly recommend you check him out if you haven't already.

Smith would be #12 (or maybe higher) if he hadn't torn his ACL...I know guys have been doing better in terms of coming back from major knee injuries, but there's still the uncertainty until he actually gets back on the field...still worth a 5th round pick though

- I still can't figure out why people like Montgomery so much. Having a hard time coming up with things he does better than Tank and Okafor who are ranked below. Stiff straight-line athlete who doesn't bend particularly well. He's on the ground and is the last guy off the ball way too often. Don't see a lot of upside as a pass rusher in the pros. I dunno he's just one of those guys where I just don't see it. If someone can make a good case for him, I'm all ears (or eyes given that this is the internet).

- I know he tore his ACL but Quanterrus Smith from Western Kentucky needs to be in that top 15. I kinda thought he'd be a guy you'd be all over. Was the national leader in sacks before he hurt his knee. Playing at WKU people might assume he's "raw" but he's actually one of the best players I've watched this year at setting up his pass rush moves. Beat cyrus Kouandjio and Fluker cleanly on his way to a sack vs. Bama. I understand if he's a guy who maybe didn't make it on your radar but I highly recommend you check him out if you haven't already.

Yeah, he's legit. Knee injury really hurt him on my list. Like I said I put a lot of stock into the combine/senior bowl stuff and he won't be able to do anything. Plus, he looks a little undersized to me. He looks to be sub-250, but doesn't look to have the lateral movement skills and change of direction to be an OLB. Looks like a 4-3 DE to me, but needs to put on 15lbs or so. That being said, he looks pretty lean and like he could put on the weight.

How is it that a guy that played 3-4 ILB in the SEC....and played it well enough to be rated one of the top 20 prospects in this draft....is only a 4-3 WLB? That makes no sense to me. I'm pretty sure he can successfully play all three 4-3 LB positions and both inside positions in the 3-4. He basically played some 4-3 MLB when Georgia went to the 4-man front.

How is it that a guy that played 3-4 ILB in the SEC....and played it well enough to be rated one of the top 20 prospects in this draft....is only a 4-3 WLB? That makes no sense to me. I'm pretty sure he can successfully play all three 4-3 LB positions and both inside positions in the 3-4. He basically played some 4-3 MLB when Georgia went to the 4-man front.

He was able to make plays but struggled to actually play position well. The plays he did make playing inside linebacker were usually not inside. He really struggles to defeat blocks and it's not because he doesn't use his hands well, it's because he doesn't use them at all. He keeps them down by his side and lets O-Lineman get into his body way too often. He doesn't take a read step kind of just hops/drifts forward and gets lost in traffic all the time. Maybe you can blame his coaches or his inexperience but you can tell that he's not really reading the cues (inside 3 OL, FB...slightly different behind an odd front) and just kind of reacts to flow. The last two points are obviously connected.

And this is coming from someone who thinks Ogletree can be a star and an elite LB in the league if he's put right role, but I don't see anything about his game translates well to the inside. He's a run-and-chase LB all day. Part of his value is that with his length and cover skills he can match up and run with TE's and slot WR's which will allow teams not to have to bring an extra DB on the field. By trapping him inside, his best assets are kind of being wasted.

He was able to make plays but struggled to actually play position well. The plays he did make playing inside linebacker were usually not inside. He really struggles to defeat blocks and it's not because he doesn't use his hands well, it's because he doesn't use them at all. He keeps them down by his side and lets O-Lineman get into his body way too often. He doesn't take a read step kind of just hops/drifts forward and gets lost in traffic all the time. Maybe you can blame his coaches or his inexperience but you can tell that he's not really reading the cues (inside 3 OL, FB...slightly different behind an odd front) and just kind of reacts to flow. The last two points are obviously connected.

And this is coming from someone who thinks Ogletree can be a star and an elite LB in the league if he's put right role, but I don't see anything about his game translates well to the inside. He's a run-and-chase LB all day. Part of his value is that with his length and cover skills he can match up and run with TE's and slot WR's which will allow teams not to have to bring an extra DB on the field. By trapping him inside, his best assets are kind of being wasted.

His best assets are being wasted? Theres still RBs that need covered out of the backfield. Theres zone coverage especially cover 2 where he will be an asset in t
he middle. Brian Urlacher and Ray Lewis had the same abilities coming out and neither of them was wasted inside. Now u can say both are/were better at the POA but this also an NFL now that features a lot of zone run concepts to allow MLBs to use their speed in the tackle box.

But my original point was more that he csn play ant LB position and definitely more than the weak side....which u obviously agree with.

Great stuff PF. I wonder if you could elaborate on what is you see in Werner that puts him at the top of your DE ranking? Just watched a good chunk of his tape from this season, and Im not overly impressed tbh. Granted, he does have a great first step, turns the corner pretty well, and has good closing speed. On the other hand I see him give up on a ton of plays, which really rubs me the wrong way. Doesnt seem like he sheds blocks all that well if the lineman wins the initial battle, and his ability to play the run leaves a lot to be desired in a lot of situations. Overall hes a real headscratcher to me.
Tbh before Tank Carradine went down this year, im not even sure I would consider Werner the best DE on his own team.

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Justin Tucker is a better and more productive NFL player than Brandon Graham.

Great stuff PF. I wonder if you could elaborate on what is you see in Werner that puts him at the top of your DE ranking? Just watched a good chunk of his tape from this season, and Im not overly impressed tbh. Granted, he does have a great first step, turns the corner pretty well, and has good closing speed. On the other hand I see him give up on a ton of plays, which really rubs me the wrong way. Doesnt seem like he sheds blocks all that well if the lineman wins the initial battle, and his ability to play the run leaves a lot to be desired in a lot of situations. Overall hes a real headscratcher to me.
Tbh before Tank Carradine went down this year, im not even sure I would consider Werner the best DE on his own team.

I wouldn't characterize Werner as a player who gives up on a ton of plays, but I can guarantee there had to be a degree of frustration for him with the amount of attention he received with additional blocking to neutralize him. That, in large part, contributed to the breakout of Carradine this past season, and what is perceived as a dip in Werner's impact.

It only took me a minute into this video to realize that this guy was a deviant. He's reminiscent of your boy from California Berkley from last year. He's listed as a 4.60 but he plays faster than that. He can fly. I want to see more.